Chapter 1045 Death of Xu Zhaojie!
As the evening breeze blew, a sharp arrow came through the wind and hit Ma Xiang's throat. Ma Xiang, who was about to drive the carriage to take Xu Zhaojie away, looked down in disbelief...

He was about to say something the next second, but as soon as he opened his mouth, before he could make any sound, his life force was completely cut off. With infinite loyalty to Xu Zhaojie, Ma Xiang tilted his head and died with his eyes open!
Xu Zhaojie in the carriage did not realize that Ma Xiang was dead at first, but after waiting for a few seconds and seeing that Ma Xiang was slow to drive the carriage, he realized something was wrong and stuck his head out of the carriage to check!
Looking at Ma Xiang's throat pierced by an arrow and his eyes open as he died, Xu Zhaojie couldn't help but feel heartbroken and despair!
Before Xu Zhaojie fell into trouble, he actually didn't pay much attention to Ma Xiang. He just placed Ma Xiang in the Thousand Tiger Guard to check and balance and monitor Fang She. Otherwise, Ma Xiang would not have been just a centurion of the Thousand Tiger Guard until the end!

But as the saying goes, a friend in need is a friend indeed. Just now, when he was in despair and saw Ma Xiang coming to see him, Xu Zhaojie was grateful for Ma Xiang's loyalty!

Therefore, seeing a soldier who was absolutely loyal to him die in front of him, Xu Zhaojie was naturally very heartbroken!
Ma Xiang’s death also shattered many of Xu Zhaojie’s hopes, and even made him feel the inescapable despair again···························
At this moment Xu Zhaojie seemed to realize something. He looked into the distance and saw a man in black standing quietly in a hidden corner!

This man had a sturdy build and his face was covered with black clothes, so his appearance could not be seen clearly, but he was holding a longbow. It was obvious that the arrow that killed Ma Xiang came from him!
Although this person covered his face, the first time Xu Zhaojie saw him, a name appeared in his mind - Fang She!
At the same time, the man in black looked at Xu Zhaojie and said nothing. He turned around and disappeared into the night again!
Watching Fang She leave, Xu Zhaojie was furious. He knew that this cold-blooded and ruthless poisonous snake was unreliable and an ungrateful person who could never be tamed!

As expected, he bit himself at the most critical moment. If he didn't die today and survived by chance, he would definitely skin his entire family alive, let him taste the feeling of despair, and make him pay the price of betrayal!

Although he had a lot of plans in his mind, seeing the Fengwu Army gradually gathering, Xu Zhaojie could not care less for the time being. He simply threw Ma Xiang's body out of the carriage and drove away himself!
When Xu Zhaojie was running away, Ye Pengchao, who was still asleep, was awakened by his men and learned the news that Xu Zhaojie had escaped from prison...
When he first heard the news, Ye Pengchao thought they were lying to him. After all, the security of the prison was already at the strictest level, and there were hundreds of soldiers stationed around the prison. With such strict protection, it would be difficult for Xu Zhaojie to escape even if he had wings on his back, let alone a mortal body!
However, from the anxious affirmations of his subordinates, Ye Pengchao also realized that the news was true. Xu Zhaojie really escaped from prison with the help of the remnants of the Zhennan Army!
Faced with this sudden incident, Ye Pengchao's head instantly made a "buzzing" sound. His usually agile and clever brain was now a little malfunctioning!
The petition for merit in capturing Xu Zhaojie alive had already been submitted to the higher-ups. I think the Marshal and the entire Yijing Central Government must have known about this matter. If something goes wrong at this moment, it would be like the sky falling!

According to the plan, Xu Zhaojie should start his journey north tomorrow. If he really gets away today, he, as the deputy provincial governor, will not be able to escape the responsibility!

Thinking of this, Ye Pengchao became even more anxious, and immediately asked:
"Do you know where Xu Zhaojie ran off to?"

The subordinate answered in detail:
"I don't know where Xu Zhaojie went. I only saw him driving a carriage towards the east gate!"

As soon as these words came out, Ye Pengchao had a clue in his mind. He ordered without thinking:

“Close all the city gates of Hanyang. Don’t let even a mosquito out. Also, gather all the runners of the Censorate and search every household in Dongcheng District. Even if you have to dig deep into the ground, you must find Xu Zhaojie…”

"Yes!"

Although he was still very tired after being woken up from his sleep, Ye Pengchao couldn't sleep anymore after what happened!

He knew very well that if this matter was not handled properly and Xu Zhaojie really ran away, then the position of Jingchu Censor, which was already within his grasp, would come to nothing, and his extremely bright future in official career would reach a turning point. He might even lose his current position of Deputy Censor!

Thinking of this, Ye Pengchao could no longer sit still, and directly brought his men to the Dongcheng District of Hanyang, intending to personally supervise the work of arresting Xu Zhaojie!
Soon after Ye Pengchao arrived at the front line, Hanyang General Zhang Shengli also hurried over. As soon as he arrived, he asked Ye Pengchao anxiously:
"How is Lord Ye? Have you found Xu Zhaojie?"

Listening to Zhang Shengli's words, Ye Pengchao glared at him first, then spoke unhappily:
"I'm telling you, General Zhang, how dare you ask me this? If I had found Xu Zhaojie, would I, Ye, still be standing in this cold wind?"

“My great General Zhang, what did you promise me at the beginning? You said that our people in the Censorate were unreliable, and that your First Division had a good style and strict defense, and it was absolutely impossible for Xu Zhaojie to escape. So you asked me to hand over the defense of the prison to you…”

"How ridiculous that I, Ye Pengchao, have such a great reputation in my life, actually believed your lies and ended up in this situation now!"

After saying that, Ye Pengchao sighed to himself, and the disappointment and anger in his sigh were beyond words. Hearing Ye Pengchao's complaints, Zhang Shengli's face turned red, but after all, the problem was in his hands, so it was difficult for him to say anything now!
After a long while, Zhang Shengli finally managed to say:
"Master Ye, Xu Zhaojie got into trouble because of me. If the higher-ups investigate, I, Zhang Shengli, will take full responsibility and will never drag you down, Master Ye!"

Hearing this, Ye Pengchao snorted coldly and said:
"General Zhang, your words are nice, but the incident happened in Hanyang and I am the deputy envoy of the Jingchu Censorate. How can I be unrelated to this incident?"

"General Zhang, if you are willing to take on the responsibility, why not join the search now!"

"If we can recapture Xu Zhaojie tonight, there's a chance that things can be resolved. Otherwise, both you and I will suffer the consequences!"

"I understand!" Zhang Shengli was ready to take people to join the search after he finished speaking, but after a few steps he seemed to have thought of something and said to Ye Pengchao again:
“I have already dealt with all the remnants of the Zhennan Army in the prison. According to their confessions, this incident was planned by Ma Xiang and Fang She, two of the Thousand Tiger Guards. Ma Xiang has been killed but Fang She should still be on the run…”

After saying that, Zhang Shengli saluted to Ye Pengchao, and then took his men to join the search process!
When Ye Pengchao heard the name Fang She at this moment, a ferocious light that was chilling and terrifying appeared in his eyes!
Ever since Fang She became the commander of the Thousand Tiger Guards, he has uncovered many spies planted by the Coordination Office in the Zhennan Army, dealing a heavy blow to the Coordination Office's intelligence network in the Zhennan Army!

Because of this incident, Huo San from the Coordination Office broke a teacup and was even reprimanded by the Marshal for not providing timely intelligence on the Zhennan Army!
The Coordination Office had sent assassins many times before to try to get rid of Fang She, but not only did they never succeed, but dozens of outstanding Coordination Office agents met with his murderous hands!
It is precisely because of this deep blood feud that Fang She became the target of the Coordination Office in Zhennan Army, second only to Xu Zhaojie. Although Ye Pengchao has left the Coordination Office now, he is very clear that after the demise of Zhennan Army, Fang She became the number one wanted target of the Coordination Office!

However, no one expected that this Fang Snake not only did not hide, but instead came to Hanyang. This guy is really brave!

However, if Fang She had planned Xu Zhaojie’s prison break, it would seem to make sense for him to escape from such a heavily guarded prison.
As a former member of the Coordination Office, Ye Pengchao naturally wanted to avenge the dozens of colleagues in the Coordination Office who had died at the hands of Fang She, but things had their priorities and compared with Xu Zhaojie, Fang She seemed insignificant!

Now Ye Pengchao’s only prayer is to catch the bastard Xu Zhaojie as soon as possible, so that he can capture Fang She with peace of mind!
After catching Fang She, Ye Pengchao would first peel off his skin, and then skin him alive with his own knife while he screams!
Just when Ye Pengchao mobilized a large number of people to launch a manhunt, Xu Zhaojie, the man being hunted, was holding a dagger to a woman's neck while gnawing on a piece of cold steamed bun in a hungrily!

Xu Zhaojie was born into a noble family, the Xu family of Zhenyuan Hou. It is no exaggeration to say that he has lived a life of luxury since he was a child. He has eaten countless delicacies and drank countless fine wines!
But at this moment, he, who was the Marquis of Zhenyuan, was happily enjoying this piece of cold steamed bun left over by others!
Ever since being rescued by Ma Xiang, Xu Zhaojie, who had regained hope in his heart, had been so hungry that he could not stand it anymore. He had been forcing himself not to lie down all the way here!

However, after the carriage was ready to leave the prison, Xu Zhaojie wanted to head straight for the city gate. But at this time he remembered that although Ma Xiang told him that he had bribed the officials at the city gate to let him follow him, he wanted to send him out...

But until Ma Xiang died, he never told Xu Zhaojie that he had bribed the official at the gate. And now that Ma Xiang is dead, can he still get out of the city gate without his help?
Although he felt helpless and angry, Xu Zhaojie had to accept this cruel reality. After thinking quickly, Xu Zhaojie, who was almost too hungry to walk, decisively gave up the carriage!

Although this carriage could help him leave as quickly as possible, the carriage was too big a target and he couldn't open the city gate. If he continued to hold on to the carriage, he would be caught sooner or later, so giving up the carriage was the best option now!

Xu Zhaojie abandoned the carriage and quietly went to the house of nearby residents with a sharp knife in hand, looking for something to eat to fill his stomach!

Although Xu Zhaojie had been seeking death and had refused to eat in prison before, if he had a choice, Xu Zhaojie would rather die with a full stomach than report to the King of Hell with an empty stomach!

So here we have the scene where Xu Zhaojie is munching on cold steamed buns while holding the woman hostage with a dagger!
Feeling the coldness of the dagger in Xu Zhaojie's hand, the middle-aged woman who was held hostage said tremblingly:

"My dear friend! I am just a woman. My husband is a businessman outside. I don't have much money at home... Whether you are here for money or sex, just don't hurt me! Please, my dear friend!"

After finishing his cold steamed bun, Xu Zhaojie regained some strength. Hearing what the middle-aged woman said, he felt angry and amused, and said with a cold face:
"Shut up! If you keep talking I'll kill you."

As soon as Xu Zhaojie finished speaking, there were sounds of a search outside.
"Go check this yard, go check that yard, check them all carefully, don't let the thief Xu Zhaojie get away. The higher-ups said that whoever catches Xu Zhaojie will be rewarded with 1,000 taels of silver!"

"Yes!"

Hearing the noise outside, Xu Zhaojie looked a little nervous, and his attention shifted to the people searching outside!

At this time, the middle-aged woman in the house also heard the conversation outside. Seeing Xu Zhaojie looking so panicked, she guessed that the murderer in front of her was the one they were looking for!
Seeing that the murderer's attention was focused outside, the middle-aged woman bravely rushed out of the house, shouting at her:

"He's here! He's here! Come and catch him!"

This immediately attracted everyone's attention, and it also destroyed Xu Zhaojie's last hope. Looking at the figure of this woman, Xu Zhaojie felt very regretful. He was so hungry that his mind was full of food, and he didn't kill this woman at the first time!
At this moment, seeing the Fengwu Army soldiers surrounding him, Xu Zhaojie showed a self-deprecating smile. The next second, in front of everyone, he decisively slashed his neck with the dagger in his hand...

(End of this chapter)